FLY’ing high for a cause …

In December last year, Niharika, a meritorious student of a junior college in the city was diagnosed with cancer. She was dedicated and hardworking. Her father was a farmer in Nalgonda and was unable to afford her treatment.

Niharika’s lecturers and friends were equally concerned for her treatment. Thus they decided to approach various organisations for monetary help, but to no avail.

All the students along with their mathematics lecturer decided to raise funds for her. “We were surprised to know that many of us are unaware of various health and welfare schemes for the poor. Most of us didn’t even know how to apply for such schemes. To start her treatment we tried in vain for CM relief fund, visited NGOs and so on. As the results were nil, we decided to seek help from other students for small contributions.

Our mathematics lecturer spread the word in our college that we are raising funds for a student’s treatment. To our surprise within a week we managed to raise around four lakh rupees. She underwent medical treatment and is doing fine now. It was a turning point in our lives and we realized that if we stand united then we can bring some change. That is when we started our organization FLY (Future Leading Youth),” details Sai Teja, first year medical student and a member of FLY, on the inception of their organisation.

Though FLY is not a registered organization these youngsters run it voluntarily. As part of the activities at FLY they distribute daily life essentials in slum areas. They create awareness on schemes like Haritha Haram, free education in government schools, right to vote, double bedroom housing scheme etc but their emphasis is on education. They visit social leaders and give a representation on the lack of basic amenities in slums.

On one such occasion Deputy CM Mahmood Ali praised them for their concern for society at such a tender age. “We want to drive home that if we stand together we can bring some change in the lives of others. And I think the sole purpose of education is not just earning a livelihood. It is also about utilising your educational qualifications to help the not- so- privileged lot,” says Sai Teja, adding, “As I come from medical field I plan to cater to medical needs in my circle.”

On 13th December volunteers at FLY headed to PHIN (People with hearing impairment network) and arranged dinner to mark their first anniversary celebrations. Right from the inception they have the support of ex-corporator Amjad Ullah Khan and he joined them on their anniversary celebrations too. “

We had invited many people but only Amjad Ullah Khan Sir turned up. We are very thankful to him for all the support,” says Vishnu Priya another member who is a student at OUCW. After the successful completion of a year, these youngsters are planning to register FLY as an NGO in the near future.

By:Syeda Zahara Jabeen